Brooklyn Poets’ grand opening draws poetry lovers to Brooklyn Heights
Suddenly, Montague Street is lit again
A large and enthusiastic crowd gathered in Brooklyn Heights on Saturday for the ribbon cutting of Brooklyn Poets, a new poetry salon and workshop space at 144 Montague St.
Visitors sipped Prosecco, browsed books, took in a workshop and nibbled on snacks from Lassen & Hennigs. Roughly 40 poets gave readings into the night, including special guests like MacArthur “genius grant” recipient Edward Hirsch; former Brooklyn Poet Laureate D. Nurkse; and current Brooklyn Poet Laureate Tina Chang.
‘Standing-room-only’
“The opening went far better than I could’ve hoped for or even imagined,” Brooklyn Poets’ founder and Executive Director Jason Koo told the Brooklyn Eagle. “I thought people would come, but I didn’t think so many people would turn out for the ribbon cutting, and I didn’t think the place would be packed from the very beginning. It was standing-room-only for the free workshop I led after the ribbon cutting, and it stayed that way until the last set of poetry readings.”